Rugby 7s: The teams

We take a closer look at the teams from this years tournament.

By
Paul Kemp
26 November 2008

POOL A

New ZealandTop seed for the first tournament in the 2008/09 sevens season, the Kiwis took firm hold of the 2007/08 calendar with victories in Dubai, George, Wellington, San Diego, Hong Kong and Edinburgh, and were crowned overall winners; their eighth triumph in nine years. They also became the first team to win the first four tournaments of a sevens season, reclaiming the Dubai crown that had been in the hands of South Africa and England over the past four seasons.Head coach: Gordon TietjensNothing left to achieve on the sevens circuit, but isn’t giving up just yet.One to watch, in five words: DJ ForbesYoung and leads by example.Dubai 2007: Cup winnersFixtures: 28/11 9.30am Wales; 2.26pm Zimbabwe; 6.50pm AustraliaAustraliaThe 31-0 defeat of Canada in the Bowl final in Dubai last year was small consolation for a shaky 2007/08 campaign, in which the Wallabies’ best result was a Cup semi-final appearance in Wellington. It’s been said Australia don’t take sevens seriously enough and underachieve as a consequence, but they are more than capable of sheer brilliance as well.Head coach: Michael O’ConnorFormer union and league player who replaced Bill Millard as sevens coach.One to watch, in five words: Willie BishopVicious sidestep; scares any defence.Dubai 2007: Bowl winnersFixtures: 28/11 9.52am Zimbabwe; 2.48pm Wales; 6.50pm New Zealand

WalesIt couldn’t be a tougher start for Paul John, Wales’ new coach, having to meet New Zealand and Australia in his very first two matches. Not that it’s likely to faze them; Wales invests heavily in young talent and can go into the tournament with confidence, buoyed by their Bowl semi-final defeat to Australia in Dubai last year.Head coach: Paul JohnA scrum-half in his playing days, now a coach with talent.One to watch, in five words: Richie PughHard-hitting, big-tackling flanker.Dubai 2007: Bowl semi-finalistsFixtures: 28/11 9.30am New Zealand; 2.48pm Australia; 5.22pm Zimbabwe

ZimbabweZimbabwe gave the bigger rugby playing nations of Australia and France a real go in Dubai, narrowly losing by seven and five points respectively. They face three stern tests in the pool stages this year, although they do have confidence and momentum. The Cheetahs will also be joining the elite sides at the World Cup next March after defeating Zambia, Botswana and Madagascar in the Tunis qualifiers earlier this month.Head coach: Liam MiddletonEngland-based coach with exceptional ability to make Zimbabwe a real force.One to watch, in five words: Willis MagasaNippy if avoids getting injured.Dubai 2007: Shield winnersFixtures: 28/11 9.52am Australia; 2.26pm New Zealand; 5.22pm Wales

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POOL B

South AfricaHaving installed a full-time sevens set-up last year, the Springboks are probably New Zealand’s biggest threat in Dubai. It was the Kiwis who ended their unbeaten start to last season, trumping them 12-7 in the Cup semi-final. This year, South Africa are second seeds and should progress with relative ease from Pool B, although they will be without speed demon and sevens specialist, Fabian Juries, who hasn’t been included in Paul Treu’s squad.Head coach: Paul TreuSeamless transition from sevens captain to coach within one season.One to watch, in five words: Tendayi ChikukwaAgile No.8 from Blue Bulls.Dubai 2007: Cup semi-finalistsFixtures: 28/11 10.14am Scotland; 3.10pm Arabian Gulf; 7.12pm KenyaKenyaKenya have already had a great start to the sevens season; qualifying for next year’s World Cup with a 26-14 victory over Zimbabwe. Kenya are not your standard sevens team. Rather than take the game to the opposition, they prefer to play on the counter- attack and exploit mistakes. But they still need to add finesse to their game.Head coach: Benjamin AyimbaAnother player-to-coach transition, Ayimba is still trying to win over supporters.One to watch, in five words: Humphrey KayangeIn great form as captain.Dubai 2007: Plate semi-finalistsFixtures: 28/11 10.36am Arabian Gulf; 3.32pm Scotland; 7.12pm South AfricaScotlandDespite defeating France 17-12 and the Arabian Gulf 27-5 in Singapore’s pool stages, Scotland were seen off by New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa. For a massive rugby-playing nation, Scotland may be getting frustrated with their ‘dark horse’ reputation and fans could be concerned about the standard of younger players coming through.Head coach: Stephen GemmellSenior national academy coach in position to oversee development of sevens stars.One to watch, in five words: Chris KinlochStar performer over past yearDubai 2007: Plate semi-finalistsFixtures: 28/11 10.14am South Africa; 3.32pm Kenya; 5.44pm Arabian Gulf

Arabian GulfThe Arabian Gulf have had some special preparation for the Sevens at the hands of Paul Treu, the top man from their Pool B rivals, South Africa. Gulf captain Stephen Cooper believes his side ‘have never had this calibre of coaching available before’. Indeed. They lost every match last year, including a 64-0 game to New Zealand.Head coach: Mike LunjevichExperienced coach determined to lead his side to a sevens upset.One to watch, in five words: Stephen CooperPowerful and gritty sevens captain.Dubai 2007: Shield semi-finalistsFixtures: 28/11 10.36am Kenya; 3.10pm South Africa; 5.44pm Scotland

POOL C

SamoaThe presence of Argentina in Pool C will make Samoa sick. They lost twice to the Pumas in 2007. But the Samoans can beat anybody and win anything on their day, as shown by an impressive victory at the London Sevens this year. For the 2008/09 opener, they have a younger team, yet are still the third seeds in Dubai.Head coach: Rudolph MoorsKnows the side inside-out and previously worked as sevens assistant coach.One to watch, in five words: Reupena LevasaTry scorer with Dubai experience.Dubai 2007: Plate finalistsFixtures: 28/11 10.58am France; 3.54pm Georgia; 7.34pm ArgentinaArgentinaTime Out predicted Argentina would be a strong force in the 15s Rugby World Cup, and we were right – they finished third. Sevens is a completely different game, but their recent success may be reflected in the shorter game. Although they lost out to Fiji and New Zealand here last year, they ended as Plate winners with a 15-14 defeat of Samoa. We’ll tip them to top Pool C, as well as inflict yet another defeat on mighty Samoa.Head coach: Duncan ForresterAnother player-turned-coach hoping to make Argentina a genuine sevens force.One to watch, in five words: Santiago Gomez CoraPuma legend can’t stop scoring.Dubai 2007: Plate winnersFixtures: 28/11 11.20am Georgia; 4.16pm France; 7.34pm SamoaFranceFrance invest heavily in their youngsters but have a habit of not balancing their squads out with experience. Last year, they came close to beating New Zealand in their final Dubai pool game, losing 21-19. They never recovered however, and ended up being crushed 21-5 by relative sevens minnows Canada in the Bowl semi-final. Consistency in the team is definitely key for Les Bleus’ success, and the ‘B’ team could be the start of a brand new sevens chapter.Head coach: Thierry Janeczek A seemingly stubborn coach, but can pick unknown star performers.One to watch, in five words:Vincent RouxSevens-minded and potentially dangerous.Dubai 2007: Bowl semi-finalistsFixtures: 28/11 10.58am Samoa; 4.16pm Argentina; 6.06pm Georgia

GeorgiaGeorgia has been hit hard politically this year but it hasn’t discouraged a nation mad on rugby. They are set to compete in the World Cup Sevens in March next year after an unbeaten qualifying campaign in Germany, including a last-minute try to beat Russia. Don’t be surprised if Georgia see off France in the pool stages. Although anything more would be a bonus.Head coach: Kakhaber AlaniaHas the unenviable task of sustaining pride in Georgian rugby with a few wins.One to watch, in five words: Merab KvirikashviliKnack for scoring crucial tries.Dubai 2007: Did not competeFixtures: 28/11 11.20m Argentina; 3.54pm Samoa; 6.06pm France

POOL D

FijiNew Zealand have stolen the sevens crown from Fiji and coach Waisale Serevi will want it back desperately. They have handling skills to rival anyone on the circuit. They lost out to the NZ 31-21 in the last Dubai final but blitzed Australia, Zimbabwe and Scotland. Their match against England at the end of day one will be worth watching, especially after the controversy that surrounded the Fijian victory in 2007.Head coach: Waisale SereviCaptained the sevens to World Cup victory. Hopes for success as coach.One to watch, in five words: Iveri LavoImproves every time he plays.Dubai 2007: Cup finalistsFixtures: 28/11 11.42am USA; 4.38pm Portugal; 7.56pm England

EnglandEngland have been unlucky in sevens under Ben Ryan, although they play some of the most attractive rugby. Their rivalry with Fiji will be resumed this year, after a legitimate Ben Foden try that would have seen England victorious in the Cup semi-final was ruled out. England ended up losing 22-21. But if the new players are as lively as the old ones, we reckon a Cup semi-final place is pretty realistic for England.Head coach:Ben RyanTakes the job seriously and would hope frustration turns into triumph.One to watch, in five words: Tom BiggsLively winger impressed last season.Dubai 2007: Cup semi-finalistsFixtures: 28/11 12.04pm Portugal; 5pm USA; 7.56pm Fiji

USAThe Americans had a dismal 2007 Dubai campaign, losing every match. However, they’ve been named as an IRB core side for the 2008/09 series, meaning they will compete in all eight events. But the work doesn’t end there. Playing New Zealand, South Africa and Fiji on a regular basis leaves no room for complacency.Head coach: Al Caravelli Like most coaches in America, Caravelli is determined to be the best.One to watch, in five words: Todd CleverPhysical experience key to squad.Dubai 2007: Shield semi-finalistsFixtures: 28/11 11.42am Fiji; 5pm England; 6.28pm Portugal

PortugalPortugal are minnows of the game but are developing at pace. They have a tough group in Dubai, but like the other rugby nations competing, are more than capable of at least one upset, this time likely to be against the USA. Expect them to put in a few big performances in March before returning to Dubai for the sevens at the end of next year to upset the odds significantly.Head coach: Tomaz Morais Very busy man credited with much of Portugal’s success at 15s and sevens level.One to watch, in five words: David MateusConsistently scores from the wing.Dubai 2007: Did not competeFixtures: 28/11 12.04pm England; 4.38pm Fiji; 6.28pm USA